High speed washing and relaxing thread advancing storage reel



Aug. 11, 1959 o w 2,898,756

HIGH SPEED WASHING AND RELAXING THREAD ADVANCING STORAGE REEL Filed Sept. 6, 1957 M447'ER ORA/R 2 Llzasiaz'll. Goodwin BY 2 ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Aug. 11, 1959 c. H. GOODWIN HIGH SPEED WASHING AND RELAXING THREAD ADVANCING STORAGE REEL Filed Sept. 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR kesterll. Goodwin ATTORNEY Unite i HIGH SPEED WASHING AND RELAXING THREAD ADVANCING STORAGE REEL Application September 6, 1957, Serial No. 682,364

12 Claims. (Cl. 68-205) This invention relates to a thread-storage, thread-advancing device. More particularly the invention relates to a reel or cage-like device for storing and advancing filamentary material lengthwise thereof in a plurality of substantially helical turns and in a manner compatible with such after-treatments as may be required in any particular process for the manufacture of filamentary material.

While the present invention is applicable in the manufacture of filamentary material from various materials, such as viscose, cuprammonium, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, acrylonitrile polymers, nylon, polyesters, etc., for convenience of description the invention will be described as it is applicable to the manufacture of continuous filaments or threads from acrylonitrile polymers, it being understood, however, that this is merely intended in an illustrative sense and the invention is not to be limited thereby but only insofar as the same may be limited by the appended claims. In fact, as will be seen from the detailed description of the invention hereinafter, the present invention may readily be adapted to the treatment of natural fibers in the form of threads or yarns.

In the manufacture of filamentary material from artificial and synthetic materials, it is recognized that economic operation dictates that the filamentary material must be produced at a high speed. Further, it is necessary States Patent that the filaments be subjected to various processing mediums, each for a considerable period of time, relatively speaking, when thinking in terms of high speed operation. In many processes, this treatment is carried out batchwise with the filaments wound in package form. However, in av continuous process where a single filament 0r bundle of filaments are to be treated continuously, it is readily apparent that it becomes necessary to subject a great length of the filament or filaments to the action of the processing medium at one and the same time in o'rder'that the filaments might be sufliciently processed at the high speeds necessary for practical commercial operation.

Continuous production of filaments, as described above, makes it imperative to continuously but temporarily store the filaments in a treating zone in the form of a travelling spiral consisting of a large number of generally helical terms. Numerous devices have heretofore been proposed to accomplish this result which are generally referred to as thread-advancing, thread-storage reels. These devices have not proved entirely satisfactory for numerous reasons. For example, difiiculties have been encountered in threading up the reels, i.'e., starting the filament thereon. Also, where more than one processing medium must be employed in treating the filaments, a reel must be employed for each operation and in many instances, more than one reel for each operation was found to be necessary. This not only complicates the installation of equipment and increases cost of manufacture, but it also introduces the ditficult problem of transferring the leading end of the filament from one device or reel to another. Accordingly, there is need for a single device or reel which is capable of handling more than one processing medium,

, Patented Aug. 11, 1959 capable of operating at high speeds and which overcomes the objections outlined hereinabove.

Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a thread-storage and advancing device or reel which overcomes the above disadvantages and in which the thread or filament is conveyed, while being simultaneously treated, at high speeds. Another object of the invention is to provide a thread-storage and advancing reel wherein the filament is relaxed while being conveyed and simultaneously treated. It is a further object of the invention to provide a thread-storage and advancing reel which is easily threaded up. It is a still further object of the invention to provide a thread-storage and advancing reel wherein the filament is laid up internally thereof in a series of substantially helical turns and held in place by means of centrifugal force. Another object of the invention is to provide a thread-storage and advancing reel wherein it is possible to treat the advancing filament with more than one liquid treating medium. Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent from the description thereof hereinafter.

In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a thread-storage and threadadvancing reel mounted in vertical position comprising a cage formed by two reel members each provided with a number of circumferential bars which interdigitate to form a cylindrical filament-supporting surface within the cage, said reel having stationary means for laying the thread up on the inner surface of said bars, means for introducing liquid medium internally of said cage at various points therein with liquid removing means adjacent various areas of said cage and means for causing relative movement of said bars during rotation of the reel whereby the filament laid up internally thereof is advanced in a series of substantially helical turns. The circumferential bars are so constructed that the internal diameter of the cage is less at the filament exit end than at the filament introduction end whereby the filaments are advanced through the reel or cage in relaxed condition.

In order to more clearly understand the following detailed description of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a practical preferred embodiment of the invention and which is in no way intended in a limitative sense;

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation view of the pre ferred reel of the instant invention, and

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring to the Figures of the drawing, and particularly Figure l, a filament or yarn or thread 2 is fed by means of the feed roll 3 to the reel 4. The filament .2, is removed from the reel by means of the drying rolls 5, Where, it will be noted, the filament makes several courses thereabout, depending upon the operating temperature of the drying rolls and the speed of the filament. The drying rolls shown may be heated internally by means of steam or hot water, and the like. Any conventional drying means may be employed with the reel of the instant invention, such as a series of drying rolls arranged in two tiers where the filament makes one pass over each'roll, or the filament may be passed through a suitably heated drying chamber, etc. The dried filament leaving the drying rolls is collected in the usual manner, such as directly on bobbins without twisting or with twisting, as on a cap spinning machine.

The reel 4 consists of a stationary housing ormember 6 rotatably mounted on which is the rotating housing or member 7. The housing or-support 7 rotates about the stationary housing 6 on the bearings 8. Integrally fastened to the rotatable housing 7 is a circular basket 9 having a series of bars 10 integrally fastened thereto and extending downward internally of the stationary housing 6. The

bars 10 are more clearly shown in Figure 2. Fastened to the upper portion of the basket 7 is a bevel gear 11 which is positioned in mesh with a drive gear 12 mounted on the drive shaft 13 which in turn is connected to a suitable power source, such as an electric motor, and the like (not shown).

Positioned in between the bars 10 is a second set of bars 14 which are movable vertically and horizontally to and from the center of the cage formed by the bars 10 and 14. The bars are spaced so as to allow free movement of the bars 14 but bars 10 and 14 together form a substantially continuous surface. The vertical and horizontal movement of bars 14 is accomplished by means of cam action. In the face of the inner wall of stationary housing 6 are two grooves or slots 15 and 16 extending around the inner circumference thereof and it will be noted that said slots are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the reel. This inclination of the slots causes the vertical movement of the bars 14 as explained in more detail hereinafter.

Each of the bars 14 has two cam followers 17 and 18 integrally attached thereto which ride in slots 15 and 16 respectively. The c am followers are clearly shown in Figure 2. The slots 15 and 16, in addition to being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the reel, are eccentric with the housing 6, that is, the axis of the slots are offset to the axis of the circular housing 6. While the inclination of the slots imparts vertical motion to the bars 14, by reason of the cam followers 17 and 18 riding in slots 15 and 16 as the housing 7 is rotated, horizontal movement toward and away from the center line of the reel is likewise imparted to bars 14 by reason of the slots being eccentric to the axis of housing 6. This horizontal movement of the bars 14 is clearly ascertainable by reference to Figure 2 of the drawing.

The bars 14 are supported in the cage by reason of the cam followers resting in the slots 15 and 16. In addition, there is provided a ring 19 which is integrally fastened to the bottom edge of the bars It This ring acts as a support or retainer for the movable bars 14 and it is to be noted that all of the bars have a cut-out portion 20 at the bottoms thereof to accommodate the ring support 19.

Each of the bars 10 and 14 are tapered. That is, they are wider at the bottom end thereof than at the top. Thus, as the filament is passed through the reel it is relaxed, or is in a relaxed state due to the decreasing circumference of the inner surface of the reel formed by the bars from the entrance end to the exit end thereof. This relaxation of the filament is accomplished when the feed roll 3 and the drying rolls are driven at the same peripheral speed.

The reel 4 is laced up by means of the funnel-shaped jet 21 which is stationarily mounted so as to extend downwardly internally of the reel in such position that the filament passing therethrough will be laid-up against the surface formed by the bars and 14 at the upper portion thereof. The jet 21 may be mounted in any desirable manner but preferably, is not attached to any portion of the reel 4. Extending outwardly from the upper portion of jet 21 is a pipe 22 which conveys air, water, or other gas or liquid to the jet 21 to assist in passing the filament therethrough.

Positioned adjacent the reel 4 and extending downwardly internally thereof are the liquid treating tubes or conduits 23 and 24. The liquid treating tubes are positioned close to the inner wall or surface formed by the bars of the reel and are perforated at the lower'ends thereof in order that the treating liquid or wash Water may be sprayed on the filament passing through the reel. The tubes 23 and 24 are sealed off at their lower ends. The tube 23 extends downwardly almost to the circular channel or groove 26 on the inner wall of the stationary housing 6. A series of openings or channels 27 extending through the housing 6 connect the channel 26 with the circular trough 28 extending around the outer wall of the housing 6 and fastened thereto. A liquid removing pipe or conduit 29 is fastened to the trough 28. The tube 24 extends down to the tapered portion 6a of the wall of housing 6. The tapered portion 6a of the inner housing wall forms an opening communicating with the circular trough 30 fastened to the lower end of housing 6. A liquid runoff pipe or conduit 31 is fastened to the trough 30.

The reel pictured in the drawingoperates essentially as follows: the filament formed from an acrylonitrile polymer, preferably containing at least percent by weight of acrylonitrile in polymerized form, is fed by the feed roll 3 to the funnel-shaped jet 21 where the water or air, entering through the pipe or conduit 22, assists the passage of the filament therethrough and directs the same against the surface of the bars 10 and 14, which are rotating at high speeds. The filament is held in place on the bars by means of centrifugal force. With the present apparatus filament speeds up to 2000 feet per minute are possible without damaging the filament and still allowing sufiieient time for relaxation of the filament and liquid treatment thereof. From the point X, where the filament first contacts the bars, to the point Y, where the filament leaves the reel, the filament is in a relaxed state due to the taper of the bars 10 and 14. The taper of the bars determines the percent or degree of relaxation of the filament. The relaxation of the filament can be increased or decreased by varying the degree of taper in the bars 10 and 14.

The filamentadvances through the reel by reason of bars 14 moving up while recessed and out of contact with the filament and then moving out or toward the center line of the reel, engaging the filament and moving downward while in contact with the filament thereby advancing the filament toward the exit end of the reel. Since each bar 14 is acting independently and in succession, the downward progression of the filament is a smooth operation resulting in a series of substantially helical turns forming a spiral throughout the reel. The filament is then removed from the reel by the drying rolls 5 which pull or peel off the filament from the inner reel surface continuously at the point Y.

The treating liquid entering by means of conduit 23 is sprayed on the filament while in the upper portion of the reel. Due to a slight space between each pair of bars 10 and 14, the liquid passes therebetween by centrifugal force and is thrown against the inner wall of the housing 6. The liquid runs down the wall into the channel 26 out through the conduits or openings 27 into the trough 28 from which it is removed by the conduit 29. The second treating liquid or wash water enters through the conduit 24 and is sprayed on the filament in the lower portion of the reel. By the same action as above, the treating liquid or wash water runs down the inner wall of housing 6 into trough 30 and is removed therefrom by means of the conduit 31. It is to be noted that there is no danger of mixing the two treating liquids or the treating liquid and wash water, since that liquid conveyed by conduit 23 is trapped by channel 26 and removed from the reel prior to reaching the section of the reel below channel 26. Accordingly, there is no danger of contaminating the treating liquids.

Ill'l lacing up the reel, it is desirable to use air in assisting the filament through the jet 21 when dilution of the treating liquid entering by means of the conduit 23 would be detrimental. Otherwise the use of water to assist in lacing-up the reel is satisfactory, said water likewise running down the housing wall and being collected in the trough 28 along with the treating liquid from conduit 23.

In those cases where a large volume of water or other reel and rapid and eflicient removal of liquid from the reel is-necessary or desirable, this rapid removal can be facilitated by tapering the inner wall of housing 6, that is, the wall would be diverging toward the exit end of the reel. This tapering of the inner wall of the housing will have no detrimental effect on the overall operation of the reel but in such case, the cam followers on the bars 14 would have to be extended accordingly or the Width of the bars would be changed to provide a convenient fit with said tapered wall.

- It should be noted that treating liquid running down the inner wall of housing 6 is not hampered by the grooves or-slots 15 and 16. In fact the liquid will run in and out of these slots thus serving as a lubricating agent for the cam followers 17 riding therein. This is one of the many advantages of the instant invention.

The reel shown in the drawing is particularly adapted to the treating of filaments formed from acrylonitrile polymers. In the manufacture of such filaments it is desirable to apply an anti-static finish thereto. The filament is first washed with water, using conduit 23, and then the finish is applied by means of conduit 24. Thereafter the filament is dried and wound on bobbins. While in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing there are two conduits for conveying treating liquid internally of the reel, only one or more than two such conduits may be employed. In such cases, the necessary adjustments in the size of the reel would have to be made. For example, the reel would have to be of greater length when employing more than two treating liquid conduits, depending of course upon the time of treatment with each liquid. Additional liquid removal troughs, such as 28, would likewise be employed with each additional treating liquid conduit. The use of additional treating liquid conduits is particularly desirable when making a viscose rayon filament where the same is treated with a desulfurizing composition, washed, treated with a bleaching agent and washed again.

It will be noted that the taper of the bars wil cause the filament thereon to relax as it passes through the reel. However, for more etficient relaxation, and particularly in the case of an acrylonitrile polymer filament, it is preferred that the treating fluids and/or washing liquids employed be at elevated temperatures. For example, in the case of filaments formed from acrylonitrile polymers, a temperature of 210 F. has been found to be satisfactory. The temperature employed will depend upon the nature of the particular filament being treated.

The present thread-storage and thread-advancing reel is particularly advantageous in that it is capable of eflicient operation at high speeds thus affording increased production. In addition, since a multiple of washing and treating agents may be employed on one reel, the process is simplified and there is a decrease in cost of equipment. The present reel is easily threaded up which has been a particularly troublesome problem with many prior art reels. When employing the prior art reels where the bars form a drum with the filament wound thereabout, treatment with a liquid has posed a problem, and particularly at high speeds. If the liquid is sprayed on the filament on a device of that kind, considerable spray is encountered due to centrifugal force with the natural attendant difliculties. Most important of all, however, there is not the most desirable penetration of the filament by the treating agent when the filament is laid on the outside of the reel. On the other hand, such problems are overcome by the reel of the instant invention. In addition, centrifugal force aids in the liquid penetration of the filament in the present reel. Numerous other advantages of the instant invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the instant description in connection with the accompanying drawing.

It is to be understood that the drawing and description are merely intended to be illustrative and that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined: in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel comprising a cylindrical cage formed by-two sets of circumferential inter-digitating bars, the first set of said bars being stationarily mounted with respect to the second set of bars, said second set of bars being movably mounted vertically and horizontally toward and away from the center line of said cage, means for rotating said cage, means adjacent the entrance end of said cage for laying a filament up on the surface of said bars internally of the cage, means for introducing a liquid internally of said cage in contact with the filament, liquid removing means adjacent the cage, and means for moving the second set of bars vertically and horizontally as the cage is rotated whereby the filament is advanced through the cage in a series of substantially helical turns, said cage having a diameter at the exit end thereof smaller than at the entrance end whereby the filament advancing therethrough is treated in a relaxed condition.

2. The high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the second set of bars is a cam actuated means.

3. The high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel as defined'in claim 1 wherein the means for laying the filament up on the surface of the bars comprises a funnel-shaped jet stationarily mounted adjacent the entrance end of the cage and extending downwardly internally thereof and shaped to allow the passage of the filament therethrough, and means fastened to said jet for introducing a fluid medium therein to assist in the passage of the filament therethrough. 1

4. The high speed thread-advancing and thread-storag reel as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for introducing liquid internally of said cage comprises a conduit extending downwardly internally of the cage adjacent the bars, said conduit being perforated at the lower end thereof whereby the liquid is sprayed on the filament on the bars.

5. A high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel comprising a circular stationary housing having a rotatable circular housing mounted thereon, said rotatable housing having a series of circumferential spaced bars integrally attached thereto and extending downwardly internally of the stationary housing and adjacent the wall thereof, a second set of bars positioned in between said spaced bars attached to the rotatable housing, a slot on the internal surface of the stationary housing, cam followers attached to each bar of the second set, said cam followers being positioned in said slot so that said second set of bars are movable vertically and horizontally toward and away from the center line of the stationary housing, means for rotating the rotatable housing, means adjacent the entrance end of said rotatable housing for laying a filament up on the surface of the bars, means for introducing a liquid internally of the rotatable housing in contact with the filament, and liquid removing means positioned on the stationary housing, the circumference of the circle formed by both sets of bars being smaller at the exit end of the reel than at the entrance end thereof, whereby the filament advancing through the reel is in a relaxed condition.

6. The high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for laying the filament up on the surface of the bars comprises a funnel-shaped jet stationarily mounted adjacent the entrance end of the reel and extending downwardly internally thereof and shaped to allow the passage of a filament therethrough and means fastened to said jet for introducing a fluid medium therein to assist in the passage of the filament therethrough.

7. The high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for introducing liquid internally of said reel comprises a conduit extending downwardly internally of the reel adjacent the bars, said conduit being perforated at the lower end thereof whereby the liquid is sprayed on the filament on the bars.

8. The high speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel as defined in claim 5 wherein the liquid removing means comprises a circular trough fastened to the outer wall of the stationary housing and wherein there are a series of openings in the stationary housing wall communicating with said trough.

9. A high-speed thread-advancing and thread-storage reel comprising a circular stationary housing having a rotatable circular housing mounted thereon, said rotatable housing having a series of circumferential spaced bars integrally attached thereto and extending downwardly internally of the stationary housing and adjacent the wall thereof, a second set of bars positioned in between said spaced bars attached to the rotatable housing, said second set of bars being movable vertically and horizontally toward and away from the center line of the stationary housing, two slots on the internal surface of the stationary housing, said slots being inclined with respect to the horizontal plane of the housing, cam followers attached to each bar of the second set and positioned in said slots, means for rotating the rotatable connecting the trough with the internal portion of the reel, a second circular trough connected to the bottom of the stationary housing, conduit means for introducing a liquid internally of the rotatable housing in contact with the filament, the lower portion of said conduit means'beingperforated and the lower end thereof being adjacent the first circulartrough, a second conduit means extending downwardly internally of the reel with the lower portion thereof being perforated and the lower end thereof being adjacent the second circular trough, and'a retaining ring attached to the lower end of the bars which are integrally attached to the rotatable housing'whereby the downward displacement'of the second set of bars is limited.

10. The high speed thread-advancing and threadstorage reel as defined in claim 9, wherein each of the bars in the reel is tapered the same amount with the internal surfaces thereof converging in the direction of travel of the filament through the reel.

11. The high speed thread-advancing and threadstorage reel as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for introducing liquid internally of said reel comprises a plurality of conduits extending downwardly internally of the reel adjacent the bars, said conduits being perforated at the lower ends thereof whereby the liquid is sprayed on the filament onthe bars and wherein each of said conduits is of a different length.

12. The high speed thread-advancing and threadstorage reel as defined in claim 5 wherein the liquid removing-means comprises a circular trough fastened to the outer wall of the'stationary housing intermediate the entrance and exit ends of the reel and a second circular trough fastened'to the outer wall of the stationary housing and positioned adjacent the end of the reel and wherein there are a series of openings in the stationary housing wall communicating with said troughs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,533,103 Givens Dec. 5, 1950 2,652,311 McLellan Sept. 15, 1953 '2,707,384 Truitt May 3, 1955 2,793,931 Furness May 28, 1957 

